Palo Santo Benefits: What's Claimed and What's Known

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Updated November 1, 2026

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Quick answer: Palo santo's main benefit is its pleasant scent and its role in ritual and relaxation. Claims that its smoke cleanses air, kills germs or treats conditions aren't well supported in people, and burning any wood adds particles to indoor air.

We try to separate experience from evidence.

Claimed vs. known

Claim	What we can say
Pleasant scent	Yes; it's the main reason people use it
Relaxation and ritual	Many people find scent rituals calming; this is personal experience, not a medical effect
'Purifies' air	Burning wood produces smoke and particles; the EPA lists combustion as an indoor air pollution source
Repels insects	Some lab studies look at compounds in Bursera essential oils, but that isn't the same as burning sticks
Treats illness	No good evidence; don't use it in place of medical care

If you use it

Burn briefly and ventilate.
Consider an essential-oil diffuser if you want scent without smoke; avoid using oils around pets without checking with a vet.

Safety

Treat a smoldering stick like an open flame: never leave it unattended, keep it away from curtains, children and pets, use a fireproof dish, and make sure it's fully out. The NFPA's candle-safety guidance applies. Smoke from burning any plant material affects indoor air, so ventilate the room, and skip smoke if you or someone at home has asthma or breathing problems.

Frequently asked questions

Does palo santo cleanse the air?

There's no good evidence that palo santo smoke cleans indoor air; smoke actually adds particles.